UPDATED: New roads will (eventually) create mini-bypass around east Aylesbury

Martin Tett: Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council

Funding for two link roads in Aylesbury has been announced as part of a £44.2 million investment in Bucks by the government.

Council chiefs and MP David Lidington say that the Aylesbury eastern link road and extension to Stocklake road will improve transportation infrastructure both north to south and east to west around the town.

The new Stocklake road starts at Douglas Road and will travel through the outskirts of the as-yet undeveloped new housing estate close to Bierton and Broughton.

It will then join the new eastern link road which starts at the A418 around the Hulcott turn and ends at the foot of the new estate close to the Grand Union Canal.

A second phase of this road is also planned but not included in the current scheme. This section would end at the Aston Clinton roundabout by the A41, effectively creating a mini-bypass around the east side of Aylesbury.

The existing Stocklake road is also set to be ‘improved’ in works that will increase the capacity of traffic that the road can take.

Rt Hon Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for culture, media and sport, made the announcement earlier this week, saying that the cash, which is part of the government’s National Growth Fund will help to fund a range of big money projects.

Bucks County Council leader Martin Tett said: “The announcement is a major vote of confidence in Buckinghamshire. The award demonstrates the strength of our bid, our evidence base and the strong team working between councils and the Bucks business community.”

“The Government recognised that we are an ‘economic engine’ for the entire UK economy, with companies such as those at Silverstone and Arla, GE Healthcare and of course Pinewood making Buckinghamshire their home.

Aylesbury MP David Lidington hailed the news.

He said: “It is a sign that the government believes the county and Aylesbury in particular has a significant role to play in securing the economic future of the UK.”

To start off the project £11million will be provided for 2015/16 projects, including the link roads.

Other projects to receive funding will include:

> A ‘5G Testbed’ to stimulate growth in Bucks’ electronic and telecommunications sector through early access to 5G technology;

> Improving bus and cycle connections between Buckingham and the new East West Rail station in Winslow (which will be on the Aylesbury to Milton Keynes train line).